After "visual" visits from a Structural Engineer and an Architect (ie no elements of the structure were exposed) the news on Dorking Museum refurbishment is as follows

The Old Foundary Building has been subject to a "make do and mend" attitude for decades and although there is no danger that the building will fall down anytime soon, there are many aspects that we need to change before we can even think about reopening.

The most important factors that we would have to address:-

1). Roof to Two Storey Section

The existing trusses holding up the roof have been supplemented by adhoc trusses that try to prop the sagging ridge. These additional trusses add a very limited support.

Solution - Replace the roof with a new raised collar trussed raftered roof that could carry the current roof covering, plus a new ceiling and modern insulation to comply with current insulation standards.

2). The "Lean Too" Roof

The front "lean too" roof is made of a light weight steel and may not hold too many more snow loads.

Solution - The steel framed roof be strengthened or replaced with framing able to carry the current roof loadings with insulation.

3). The First Floor

One of the support beams an old 9 x 4 RSJ spans 9m and is grossly inadequate to carry the floor loadings over such a distance.

Solution - Upgrade the beam and the timber floor will be able to carry 80lbs per square foot.

There are other issues that will be corrected and improved ie. cracks in walls, rusting of external columns.

Although this seems like fairly daunting news - it is not unexpected. We will wait on more detailed surveys to estimate what it will cost us to refurbish the Old Foundry.